NFL Draft 2024 – Underclassmen

Jan. 5 – Draft eligible Underclassmen announced to participate in the College All-star games

Jan. 15 – Special Eligibility Deadline. Deadline for college players who are underclassmen to apply for Special Eligibility. A list of underclassmen who have been approved for entry into the 2024 NFL Draft will be sent to clubs on January 19.

April 25-27 – NFL Draft, Detroit

Draft Insiders’ will have a January Newsletter with complete list of Underclassmen, Top 150 Prospects and Three Round Mock Draft

We scouted most of these new prospects especially running back Jaden Shirden of Monmouth University and OT Kiran Amegadjie of Yale both at practices and in live games. We recommended them to a few All-star games.

Frank Coyle/ Head scout

Thirty-four players granted special eligibility for 2024 NFL Draft after early deadline

A list of 34 players granted special eligibility for the 2024 NFL Draft was released by the NFL on Tuesday.

With the NFL allowing draft-eligible underclassmen to participate in college all-star games in 2024, a soft deadline of Jan. 5 was added to assist players and all-star game organizers in the planning and invitation process. The hard deadline for underclassmen to submit a petition to the league is Jan. 15. A list of additional players who have been granted special eligibility in accordance with the Jan. 15 deadline will be announced on Jan. 19. The 2024 draft is scheduled to be held April 25-27 in Detroit.

Each of the 34 players listed below have met the league’s three-year eligibility rule and have renounced their college football eligibility by submitting written notification to the league office on or before the Jan. 5 early deadline. Consequently, they are eligible for selection:

Underclassmen

Ajou Ajou, WR, Garden City C.C.
Braelon Allen, RB, Wisconsin
Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
Kiran Amegadjie, OT, Yale
Cole Bishop, DB, Utah
Austin Booker, DE, Kansas
Javon Bullard, DB, Georgia
Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
Jonah Elliss, DE, Utah
Audric Estimé, RB, Notre Dame
Blake Fisher, OT, Notre Dame
Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon
Bucky Irving, RB, Oregon
Kalen King, DB, Penn State
Kamari Lassiter, DB, Georgia
Cam Little, K, Arkansas
Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon
Ennis Rakestraw, DB, Missouri
Chop Robinson, DE, Penn State
Jaden Shirden, RB, Monmouth (N.J.)
Carson Steele, RB, UCLA
Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU
Leonard Taylor, DT, Miami
Brian Thomas, WR, LSU
Sione Vaki, DB, Utah
Trevin Wallace, LB, Kentucky
Nate Wiggins, DB, Clemson
James Williams, DB, Miami
Mekhi Wingo, DT, LSU
Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
Jaylen Wright, RB, Tennessee

The following underclassman has in timely fashion under NFL rules officially notified the league office that he has fulfilled his degree requirements. Consequently, he is eligible for selection:

Will Shipley, RB, Clemson

NFL Draft 2024
Underclassmen – Declared for 2024 NFL Draft

Frank  Coyle/ Publisher

Jan. 15 – Special Eligibility Deadline. Deadline for college players who are underclassmen to apply for Special Eligibility. They will have until Jan 18th to rescind their decision and retain their college eligibility. A list of underclassmen who have been approved for entry into the 2024 NFL Draft will be sent to clubs on January 19.

Players have begun to declare for the Transfer Portal which opened on Dec. 4th thru Jan 2, 2024. If a coach is fired or leaves the college program, that school’s players can enter the portal immediately.

Subscribers will receive Updated announcements over next 10 days prior to Jan. 15^th deadline.
January Newsletter will have a complete list of Underclassmen, plus a new Top 150, Three Rd Mock Draft and more.

Underclassmen declared for entry into the 2024 NFL draft

Quarterbacks
Emory Jones – Cincinnati
Drake Maye – North Carolina
Michael Pratt – Tulane
Cameron Ward – Washington State

Running Backs
Braelon Allen – Wisconsin
Emani Bailey – TCU
Trey Benson – Florida State
Jonathan Brooks – Texas
Audric Estime – Notre Dame
Frank Gore Jr. – Southern Miss
Bucky Irving – Oregon
MarShawn Lloyd – USC
Kayron Lynch-Adams – UMass
Cody Schrader – Missouri
Will Shipley – Clemson
Jaden Shirden – Monmouth University
Jaylen Wright – Tennessee

Wide Receivers
Javon Antonio – Colorado
Keon Coleman – Florida State
Jacob Cowing – Arizona
Troy Franklin – Oregon
Ladd McConkey – Georgia
Brian Thomas – LSU
Devaughn Vele – Utah
Tez Walker – North Carolina
Jordan Whittingham – Texas
Johnny Wilson – Florida State
Xavier Worthy – Texas

Tight Ends
Jaheim Bell – Florida State
Brock Bowers – Georgia
Theo Johnson – Penn State
Tip Reiman Illinois
Ben Sinnott – Kansas State

Tackles
Joe Alt – Notre Dame
Olu Fashanu – Penn State
JC Latham – Alabama
Amarius Mims – Georgia
Patrick Paul – Houston

Interior Linemen
Isacc Adams – Illinois
Kingsley Eguakun – Florida
Jackson Powers-Johnson – Oregon
Layden Robinson – Texas A&M
Sedrick Van Pran – Georgia

Edge
Chris Braswell – Alabama
Austin Booker – Kansas
Nyles Gaddy – Missouri
Chop Robinson – Penn State
Javon Solomon – Troy
Dallas Turner – Alabama
Jared Verse – Florida State

Interior Linemen
Evan Anderson – Florida Atlantic University
Michael Hall – Ohio State
Byron Murphy II – Texas
Jer’Zhan Newton – Illinois
Keith Randolph Jr. – Illinois
Leonard Taylor III Miami
Mekhi Wingo – LSU

Linebackers
Chris Braswell – Alabama
Edgerrin Cooper – Texas A&M
Marist Liufau – Notre Dame
Maema Njongmeta – Wisconsin
Jeremiah Trotter Jr. – Clemson
Jacoby Windmon – Michigan State

Cornerbacks
Kris Abrams-Draine – Missouri
Terrion Arnold – Alabama
Caelen Carson – Wake Forest
Cooper DeJean – Iowa
Kalen King – Penn State
Kamari Lassiter – Georgia
Kool-Aid McKinstry – Alabama
Max Melton – Rutgers
Ennis Rakestraw Jr. – Missouri
Nate Wiggins – Clemson

Safeties
Cole Bishop – Utah
Simeon Blair – Memphis
Omar Brown – Nebraska
Javon Bullard – Georgia
Kamren Kinchens – Miami
Sione Vaki – Utah
James Williams – Miami

PK     Cam Little – Arkansas

AP FCS All-America Teams

South Dakota State leads the AP FCS All-America team with four 1st team offensive performers. QB Mark Gronowski, running back Isiah Davis, OL Garrett Greenfield and Mason McCormick all earned first team AP honors.

Other than South Dakota St, only Monmouth University was represented by more than one player on the first AP team. The Hawks were represented by running back. Jaden Shirden and wideout Dymere Miller who earned first team AP honors.

Four Montana Bobcats earned mention on the 2023 Associated Press FCS All-America teams. Montana, junior offensive tackle Marcus Wehr, landed on the first team. Offensive guard Rush Reimer and all-purpose player Sean Chambers each earned mention on the AP second team. Defensive end Brody Grebe, earned third team honors.

AP FCS All-America Teams

First Team

Offense
Quarterback – Mark Gronowski, fourth-year, South Dakota State

Running Backs
Jaden Shirden, fourth-year, Monmouth University
Isaiah Davis, fourth-year, South Dakota State

Offensive linemen
Garret Greenfield, sixth-year, South Dakota State
Noah Atagi, sixth-year, Weber State
Mason McCormick, sixth-year, South Dakota State
Jacob Johanning, fifth-year, Furman
Marcus Wehr, fourth-year, Montana State

Tight end – Cam Grandy, fifth-year, Illinois State

Wide receivers
Ty James, fifth-year, Mercer
Dymere Miller, fourth-year, Monmouth University
Jalen Coker, fifth-year, Holy Cross

All-purpose player – Dylan Laube, fifth-year, New Hampshire
Kicker – Matthew Cook, fifth-year, Northern Iowa

First Team
Defense

Linemen
Terrell Allen, fourth-year, Tennessee State
Jay Person, sixth-year, Chattanooga
Anton Juncaj, fourth-year, Albany (N.Y.)
Alex Gubner, sixth-year, Montana

Linebackers
Dylan Kelly, fifth-year, Albany (N.Y.)
Brock Mogensen, sixth-year, South Dakota
Jacob Dobbs, fifth-year, Holy Cross

Defensive backs
PJ Jules, fifth-year, Southern Illinois
Cole Wisniewski, fourth-year, North Dakota State
Lance Wise Jr., fifth-year, Mercer
Marcus Harris, fourth-year, Idaho
Sheldon Arnold II, fourth-year, East Tennessee State

Punter – Aidan Laros, third-year, Tennessee Martin

Second Team

Offense
Quarterback – Max Brosmer, fifth-year, New Hampshire

Running backs
Sam Franklin, third-year, Tennessee Martin
Jamar Curtis, second-year, Lafayette

Offensive linemen
Luke Newman, fourth-year, Holy Cross
Charles Grant, fourth-year, William & Mary
Rush Reimer, fourth-year, Montana State
Mark Barthelemy, sixth-year, Nicholls State
Gavin Olson, fifth-year, Tennessee Martin

Tight end – Carter Runyon, third-year, Towson

Wide receivers
Brandon Porter, sixth-year, Incarnate Word
Hayden Hatten, fifth-year, Idaho
Chedon James, second-year, Idaho State

All-purpose player – Junior Bergen, third-year, Montana
Kicker – Ricardo Chavez, fourth-year, Idaho

Second Team

Defense
Linemen
Ty French, fourth-year, Gardner-Webb
David Walker, fourth-year, Central Arkansas
Finn Claypool, third-year, Drake
Daylan Dotson, fourth-year, Tennessee Martin

Linebackers
Billy Shaeffer, sixth-year, Lafayette
Winston Reid, seventh-year, Weber State
Micah Davey, third-year, McNeese State

Defensive backs
Aamir Hall, fourth-year, Albany (N.Y.)
Caleb Curtain, third-year, Elon
Blake Ruffin, third-year, Eastern Illinois
Tyler Morton, third-year, Nicholls State
Kenny Gallop, Jr., third-year, Howard

Punter – Grant Burkett, fifth-year, Missouri State

Third Team

Offense
Quarterback – Matthew Sluka, fourth-year, Holy Cross

Running backs
Lan Larison, fourth-year, UC Davis
Jordan Fuller, third-year, Holy Cross

Offensive linemen
John Allen, fourth-year, SE Louisiana
Josiah Ezirim, fifth-year, Eastern Kentucky
Jake Kubas, sixth-year, North Dakota State
Ryan Coll, fifth-year, Richmond
Seth Osborne, sixth-year, St. Francis, Pa.

Tight end — Cole Rusk, third-year, Murray State

Wide receivers
Raylen Sharpe, third-year, Missouri State
Efton Chism III, fourth-year, Eastern Washington
Kasey Hawthorne, third-year, Howard

All-purpose player – Sean Chambers, sixth-year, Montana State
Kicker – Kyle Ramsey, fifth-year, Abilene Christian

Third Team

Defense
Linemen
Eric O’Neill, third-year, Long Island
Brendan Webb, sixth-year, South Dakota
Khristian Boyd, sixth-year, Northern Iowa
Brody Grebe, third-year, Montana State

Linebackers
Amir Abdullah, fourth-year, Illinois State
Braxton Hill, fifth-year, Montana
Noah Martin, fourth-year, Samford

Defensive backs
Myles Harden, fourth-year, South Dakota
Saiku White, third-year, Lafayette
Max Epps, third-year, Texas A&M-Commerce
Travis Blackshear, sixth-year, Furman
Kaleb Lyons, second-year, Morehead State

Punter – Aaron Trusler, third-year, Richmond

Underclassmen Allowed to Play in College All-Star Games

Frank Coyle/ Publisher

Happy Veterans Day – Honoring All Who Served

The NFL Informs Teams NFL Draft-eligible Underclassmen Allowed to Play in College All-Star Games

NFL office announced this week that any underclassman granted eligibility for the 2024 NFL Draft can be invited to play in the East-West Shrine Bowl, HBCU Legacy Bowl and Senior Bowl. No other all-star game is allowed by the league to invite underclassmen.

This is a significant change to the pre-draft process that should help provide a platform for prospects who often don’t declare until late in the offseason. Current Senior Bowl director Jim Nagy will implement the new conditions for building rosters for the All-star classic. Other directors will also expand their scouting to accommodate the new rules which can

NFL Deadline for underclassmen to declare for NFL Draft 2024 – Monday, January 15th

The underclassmen have had a smaller window to expose their skills to NFL scouts. In the past, underclassmen not invited to the NFL Scouting Combine relied on school pro days and private workouts leading up to the NFL Draft when seeking an audience of scouts.

The past few years also have seen a downturn in the number of underclassmen granted special eligibility. It hit a high-water mark in 2018, when 106 underclassmen were approved, but that number has fallen since – from 99 in 2021 to 73 in 2022 and 69 in 2023.

There have been sweeping changes in college athletics over that span, with the proliferation of NIL deals and the transfer portal opening up more opportunities for college athletes.

Former Senior Bowl director Phil Savage (2021-2018) initiated admitting fourth-year juniors who have completed their degrees during this tenure at the Senior Bowl. The vast majority of underclassmen were previously ineligible to play in all-star events.

The deadline for underclassmen to apply for special eligibility for the 2024 NFL Draft is Jan. 15.

The East-West Shrine Bowl is scheduled to be played on Thursday, Feb. 1 and the Senior Bowl is to be held on Saturday, Feb. 3. The HBCU Legacy Bowl is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 24. All three games will be broadcast on NFL Network. The NFLPA game has been eliminated and integrated into the Senior Bowl event.

Feb. 27 -March 4
NFL Scouting Combine, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis

Frank Coyle is a long-time scout with nationwide ties with NFL and college coaches, scouts and player agents. He is a member of the FWAA and voter in major college player awards – Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Lombardi, Thorpe, Biletnikoff etc. for the past 30 years. He writes College Football Mondays weekly during the season. He was a longtime scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl, the nation’s premier postseason All-star game. He does sports radio shows for CBS and ESPN on a year-round basis related to NFL and College Football especially during the postseason team and All-star Bowl time. He has worked for CBS Sports, NBC Sports, Yahoo and Rivals sports publications and web sites

2023 Outland Trophy Preseason Watch List

The Football Writers Association of America announced the preseason watch list for the 2023 Outland Trophy, recognizing 91 returning standout interior linemen representing all 10 Division I FBS conferences and independents. The 2023 season will close with the award’s 78th anniversary and the watch list offers a talented field of players alongside two returning FWAA All-Americans.

The recipient of the 2023 Outland Trophy will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards, live on ESPN in December. The official presentation to the winner will be made at the Outland Trophy Awards Dinner sponsored by Werner Enterprises and produced by the Greater Omaha Sports Committee in Omaha, Neb., on Jan. 10, 2024.

Photo – OT Joe Alt – Notre Dame by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

The returning FWAA All-Americans, both of them from last season’s Second Team, are offensive tackle Joe Alt of Notre Dame and defensive tackle Tyler Davis of Clemson. Michigan leads the list as the lone team with four selections, three from the offensive line with guards Trevor Keegan and Zak Zinter playing on either side of center Drake Nugent, a Stanford transfer, along with defensive tackle Kris Jenkins. The Wolverines were in the top five nationally last season in the primary rushing categories of yards per carry (3rd, 5.58) and yards per game (5th, 238.9) with 41 rushing touchdowns as they reached the College Football Playoff semifinals.

Defending national champion Georgia leads five schools that have three players represented – center Sedrick Van Pran, guard Tate Ratledge and defensive tackle Nazir Stackhouse. It joins Alabama and LSU, also with three each, to bolster the Southeastern Conference’s league-high 17 selections. LSU defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo tied for the most votes among returning players for last season’s Outland Trophy. Almost half of the SEC’s list – eight of 17 – are defensive tackles.

Frank Coyle is a long-time scout with nationwide ties with coaches, scouts and player agents. He is a long-time member of the FWAA and voter in College player awards – Heisman, Biletnikoff, Thorpe, Outland, Nagurski, Lombardi etc for the past 25 years. He writes College Football Mondays weekly during the season. He is a consultant to many NFL player agents related to all levels of preparation for the NFL Draft process. He was a longtime scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl, the nation’s premier postseason All-star game. He does sports radio shows for ESPN, Fox Sports and Sporting News on a year-round basis related to College Football especially during the postseason team and All-star Bowl time. He has worked for CBS Sports, NBC Sports, Yahoo and Rivals sports publications and web sites.

A trio from Utah heads up a dozen Pac-12 Conference players on the list, second only to the SEC. Utah defensive tackle Junior Tafuna is the only defensive tackle among the Pac-12 players. The Big Ten Conference is third with 11 total led by Michigan’s four and three from Ohio State, a CFP semifinalist last year that has guards Donovan Jackson and Matt Jones back from the nation’s second-best scoring offense (44.2 ppg) joining defensive tackle Mike Hall on the list. Penn State offensive tackle Olumuyiwa Fashanu, who tied Wingo for the highest vote totals from last season’s Outland Trophy tallies, made the list along with two from Illinois, one on each side of the ball.

Notre Dame and Clemson each have a pair on the list with Alt joining Notre Dame offensive tackle teammate Blake Fisher and Davis having Clemson defensive tackle teammate Ruke Orhorhoro alongside him as the Atlantic Coast Conference’s only defensive representatives. Besides Michigan’s Nugent, the ACC has the other two players who are transfers onto their new teams in Florida State offensive tackle Jeremiah Byers (UTEP) and Miami guard Javion Cohen (Alabama).

The Big 12 Conference has 10 players on the list spread among nine different schools, including one each from its four new members at BYU, Cincinnati, Houston and UCF. Kansas State is the lone Big 12 school with two members in offensive tackles Cooper Beebe and KT Leveston.

Other schools with two players on the list are Arizona, Oregon State and USC from the Pac-12, App State and James Madison from the Sun Belt Conference, Liberty from Conference USA and a trio from the newly-expanded American Athletic Conference, SMU, Tulane and UTSA.

The conference breakdown is as follows. Beyond the 17 from the SEC, 12 from the Pac-12, 11 from the Big Ten and 10 from the Big 12, the ACC and American Athletic have eight, the Sun Belt seven, the Mid-American and Mountain West five each, and Conference USA and the Independents with four apiece.

There are 31 offensive tackles on this year’s list with 24 defensive tackles and 24 guards to go with 12 centers. Just under half of the 133 Football Bowl Subdivision schools – 65 – are represented.

The Outland Trophy winner is chosen from three finalists who are a part of the annual FWAA All-America Team. The FWAA All-America Committee, after voting input from the entire membership, selects a 26-man first team and eventually the three Outland finalists. Committee members, then by individual ballot, select the winner. Only interior linemen on offense or defense are eligible for the award; ends are not eligible.

Players may be added or removed from the watch list during the course of the season. For the first time, the FWAA will announce an Outland Trophy National Player of the Week each Tuesday this season. If not already on the watch list, each week’s honored player will be added at that time.

Following is the complete 2023 Outland Trophy Watch List.

2023 Outland Trophy Preseason Watch List

G Isaiah Adams, Illinois                         OT Taliese Fuaga, Oregon St    OT Jordan Morgan, Arizona
OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame                         OT X’Zauvea Gadlin, Liberty      C Drake Nugent, Michigan
OT Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas                    G AJ Gillie, Louisiana                 DT Jaheim Oatis, Alabama
OT Graham Barton, Duke                      OT Matt Goncalves, Pitt             DT Ruke Orhorhoro, Clemson
OT Cooper Beebe, Kansas State           OT Joshua Gray, Oregon St      G Justin Osborne, SMU
G Cade Bennett, San Diego State          DT Mike Hall Jr., Ohio State       C Thor Paglialong, Air Force
OT Cade Beresford, Boise State             OT Makai Hart, UTSA                OT Patrick Paul, Houston
DT Jordan Bertagnole, Wyoming            C Gus Hartwig, Purdue              G Lokahi Pauole, UCF
G Keaton Bills, Utah                              OT Christian Haynes, UConn     OT Micah Pettus, Ole Miss
G Tyler Booker, Alabama                       C Sincere Haynesworth, Tulane  G Prince Pines, Tulane
DT Brandon Brown, UTSA                     C Isaiah Helms, App State         OT Nolan Potter, NIU
OT Jeremiah Byers, Florida St       DT Tonka Hemingway, South Carolina    G Deiyantei Powell-Woods, Central Michigan
OT Will Campbell, LSU                          C Bryan Hudson, Louisville        DT Keith Randolph Jr., Illinois
DT James Carpenter, James Madison    G Jarrod Hufford, Iowa State      G Tate Ratledge, Georgia
DT Kendy Charles, Liberty               DT Jaylon Hutchings, Texas Tech         DT Kennedy Roberts, Coastal Carolina
DT Elijah Chatman, SMU                   DT McKinley Jackson, Texas A&M       DT Justin Rogers, Auburn
C Duke Clemens, UCLA                    G Donovan Jackson, Ohio St     OT Nick Rosi, Toledo
G Javion Cohen, Miami                       DT Kris Jenkins, Michigan          G Keylan Rutledge, Middle Tennessee
OT Josh Conerly Jr., Oregon                  G Matthew Jones, Ohio State     OT Jonah Savaiinaea, Arizona
DT Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati              OT Emery Jones Jr., LSU          OT Clay Servin, Rice
G Khalil Crowder, Georgia Southern       G Trevor Keegan, Michigan       DT Nazir Stackhouse, Georgia
C Ethan Crowe, Ball State                  OT Nick Kidwell, James Madison      OT Kingsley Suamataia, BYU
DT Jaden Crumedy, Mississippi State    G Jarrett Kingston, USC             DT Junior Tafuna, Utah
DT Tyler Davis, Clemson                       OT JC Latham, Alabama            C Sedrick Van Pran, Georgia
C Justin Dedich, USC                            OT Sataoa Laumea, Utah          G Mose Vavao, Fresno State
OT Olu Fashanu, Penn State                 G Quantavious Leslie, WKU       DT Deone Walker, Kentucky
OT Troy Fautanu, Washington               OT KT Leveston, Kansas State  DT Daymond Williams, Buffalo
G Connor Finucane, Army                     C Beaux Limmer, Arkansas        G Bucky Williams, App State
OT Blake Fisher, Notre Dame                G Christian Mahogany, Boston College  DT Mekhi Wingo, LSU
OT Javon Foster, Missouri                     DT Fish McWilliams, UAB          G Zak Zinter, Michigan
C Zach Frazier, West Virginia

The Outland Trophy, celebrating 78 years since its founding, is the third-oldest major college football award. Created in 1946 when Dr. John Outland presented the FWAA with a financial contribution to initiate the award, the Outland Trophy has been given to the best interior lineman in college football ever since. Dr. Outland, an All-American at the University of Pennsylvania in the late 1890s, eventually took up practice in Kansas City, Mo. An avid outdoorsman, Dr. Outland believed linemen did not get the credit they deserved and wanted an award to recognize them.

The Outland Trophy is a member of the National College Football Awards Association. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA includes college football’s most prestigious awards and its 24 awards have honored more than 900 recipients dating back to 1935. This season, 12 NCFAA awards will honor national players of the week each Tuesday.

NFL Draft 2023 – First Round Signings

Frank Coyle/ Pro Scout

The 2023 NFL Draft completed all draft choices to signed contracts with the addition of Seattle corner Devon Witherspoon with a four-year deal. Witherspoon was both the last 1^st round and overall draft to sign.  

The first-round selections are now all signed with lucrative signing bonuses ranging from $5.5 million for Felix Anudike-Uzomah of the Chiefs with the last pick of the round to Bryce Young of the Panthers with a $24.6 million bonus with the 1st overall selection.

Devon Witherspoon held out of the initial days of camp until he got his deal done. With few reps missed in the opening week, he still has the inside track of earning the starting job with a strong camp.

First-Round Selection Contracts

Pick     Player                         Team                Rookie Contract Terms

1 Bryce Young                         Panthers          4 years, $37.95 million ($24.6 million signing bonus)

2 C.J. Stroud                            Texans             4 years, $36.2 million ($23.3 million signing bonus)

3 Will Anderson Jr.                  Texans             4 years, $35.2 million ($22.6 million signing bonus)

4 Anthony Richardson             Colts                4 years, $33.9 million ($21.7 million signing bonus)

5 Devon Witherspoon             Seahawks         4 years, $31.86 million ($20.17 million signing bonus)

6 Paris Johnson Jr.                  Cardinals         4 years, $28 million ($17.4 million signing bonus)

7 Tyree Wilson                         Raiders            4 years, $25 million ($15.1 million signing bonus)

8 Bijan Robinson                     Falcons            4 years, $21.96 million ($12.97 million signing bonus)

9 Jalen Carter                           Eagles              4 years, $21.81 million ($12.86 million signing bonus)

10 Darnell Wright                     Bears               4 years, $20.97 million ($12.25 million signing bonus)

11 Peter Skoronski                  Titans               4 years, $19.67 million ($11,3 million signing bonus)

12 Jahmyr Gibbs                     Lions               4 years, $17.8 million ($9.6 million signing bonus)

13 Lukas Van Ness                  Packers            4 years, $17.3 million ($9.6 million signing bonus)

14 Broderick Jones                  Steelers            4 years, $16.6 million ($9 million signing bonus)

15 Will McDonald IV                 Jets                  4 years, $16.3 million ($8.8 million signing bonus)

16 Emmanuel Forbes               Commanders   4 years, $15.4 million ($8.2 million signing bonus)

17 Christian Gonzalez              Patriots            4 years, $15.1 million ($7.98 million signing bonus)

18 Jack Campbell                    Lions               4 years, $14.7 million ($7.7 million signing bonus)

19 Calijah Kancey                    Buccaneers      4 years, $14.4 million ($7.5 million signing bonus)

20 Jaxon Smith-Njigba             Seahawks         4 years, $14.417 million ($7.49 million signing bonus)

     Miami – No pick due to tampering violation

21 Quentin Johnston               Chargers          4 years, $14.188 million ($7.32 million signing bonus)

22 Zay Flowers                         Ravens             4 years, $14 million ($7.2 million signing bonus)

23 Jordan Addison                  Vikings             4 years, $13.73 million ($6.99 million signing bonus)

24 Deonte Banks                     Giants              4 years, $13.579 million ($6.88 million signing bonus)

25 Dalton Kincaid                    Bills                 4 years, $13.25 million ($6.77 million signing bonus)

26 Mazi Smith                          Cowboys          4 years, $13.274 million ($6.65 million signing bonus)

27 Anton Harrison                    Jaguars            4 years, $13.20 million ($6.56 million signing bonus)

28 Myles Murphy                      Bengals            4 years, $12.6 million ($6.1 million signing bonus)

29 Bryan Bresee                       Saints              4 years, $12.2 million ($5.9 million signing bonus)

30 Nolan Smith                        Eagles              4 years, $11.9 million ($5.7 million signing bonus)

31 Felix Anudike-Uzomah        Chiefs              4 years, $11.8 million ($5.5 million signing bonus)

NFL Draft Review Report – available now (43 pages) Published by Frank Coyle
 

NFL Draft Review Evaluates Every Draft Pick and Veteran FA  Signing Plus Rookie FA Additions

NFL Draft 2023 Grades by Team             

1          Houston   A+         17  New Orleans  C+            
2          Seattle      A+          18 Dallas             C+       
3      Indianapolis     A       19   Las Vegas     C+       
4          Pittsburgh        A                      20         LA Chargers     C+       
5          NY Giants         A                      21         LA Rams          C+
6          Philadelphia     B+                  22         Miami               C+       
7          Green Bay        B+                    23         Cleveland         C+       
8          New England   B+                   24         Denver             C+
9          Baltimore         B                      25         Arizona            C         
10         Kansas City     B                      26         NY Jets            C                     
11         Buffalo             B                       27         Washington      C         
12         Atlanta             B                      28         Tennessee        C             
13         Detroit              B                      29         Minnesota        C                     
14         Chicago           B                       30         Jacksonville     C                     
15         Cincinnati        B                      31         Tampa Bay       C
16         Carolina           B                      32         San Francisco  C         

The following is the breakdown of the 259 players selected in NFL Draft 2023 by position:

 36 Cornerbacks                        15 Guards
33 Wide receivers                     15 Tight ends
30 Linebackers                         14 Quarterbacks
22 Defensive ends                    9 Centers
21 Defensive tackles                3 Placekickers
20 Safeties                                  3 Punters
19 Offensive tackles                 1 Fullback
18 Running backs

Schools with multiple draft selections

 Selections        Schools
10        Alabama, Georgia
9          Michigan
8          TCU
6          Clemson, Florida, LSU, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, Pittsburgh
5          Auburn, Maryland, Oklahoma, Purdue, South Carolina, Stanford, Tennessee, Texas
4          Houston, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas State, North Carolina, Northwestern, Ole Miss, UCLA, USC
3          BYU, Cincinnati, Iowa State, Kentucky, Louisville, Miami (FL), Michigan State, Minnesota, Notre Dame, Old    Dominion, Texas A&M, Utah, Wisconsin
2          Appalachian State, Arkansas, Boise State, Eastern Michigan, Mississippi State, Nebraska, Oklahoma St,             Oregon State, Syracuse, Tulane, Wake Forest
 

Draft Insiders’ Digest – 32nd Season                                              Publication and Web Site

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NFL Fifth-Year Option Decisions for First Round Players from the NFL Draft 2020

The deadline for NFL teams to exercise the fifth-year option on the rookie contracts for 2020 first-round picks was Tuesday, May 2. Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was the first from that class to have his option picked up.

All players selected in the first round of the NFL draft sign four-year contracts with a team option for a fifth season. After the player finishes his third year in the league, clubs must decide if they want to exercise the option.

Below are the 28 first-round picks from the 2020 draft eligible for fifth-year options and their statuses ahead of the deadline. Three first-round players from that class — Henry Ruggs III (#12 overall), Damon Arnette (#19) and Isaiah Wilson (#29) — are no longer in the league and, therefore, are not eligible for a fifth-year option. Ruggs and Arnette were selected by the Las Vegas Raiders while Wilson was chosen by Tennessee. Jeff Gladney, the #31 overall pick in 2020 who played for both Minnesota and Arizona, died tragically in a car accident in May 2022.

Fifth-Year Option Deadline for clubs to exercise the option was Tuesday, May 2.

Under the new CBA signed in 2020, the option is fully guaranteed once exercised (previously it was only guaranteed for injury).

Four Tiers of Salary

1. Multiple Pro Bowls: Players who made more than two Pro Bowls on the original ballot (not alternate) will have their fifth-year base salary equal to the franchise-tag tender at their position.
2. One Pro Bowl: Players who made one Pro Bowl on the original ballot (not alternate) have their fifth-year base salary equal to the transition tag at their position.
3. Playing time: These players didn’t make a Pro Bowl, but their snap counts during their first three seasons meet one of the following three requirements: a) 75 percent or greater in two of their first three seasons b) an average of 75 percent or greater over all three seasons. c) 50 percent or greater over all three seasons. These players will have their fifth-year base salary calculated from the average of the 3rd- to 25th-highest salaries at their position over the past five seasons.
4. Basic: Players who do not meet any of the requirements above will have their fifth-year base salary calculated from the average of the 3rd- to 25th-highest salaries at their position over the past five seasons.

Fifth-Year Option Tracker

Here’s a look at the players selected in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, their fifth-year option totals and whether their clubs picked up or declined their options (number in front of name represents player’s overall drafting position)

5th year option decisions for the NFL Draft 2020 class

2020 pick    Name              Team           Pos      5th yr option    Exercised        Not exercised

1          Joe Burrow                  Bengals            QB       $29,504,000        X

2          Chase Young               Commanders   Edge    $17,452,000                              X

3          Jeff Okudah                 Lions               CB       $14,362,000      not eligible

4          Andrew Thomas          Giants             LT        $21,172,000        X

5          Tua Tagovailoa            Dolphins          QB       $25,382,000      X

6          Justin Herbert             Chargers          QB       $29,504,000      X

7          Derrick Brown             Panthers          DT        $13,192,000      X

8          Isaiah Simmons           Cardinals         LB        $11,369,000                              X

9          C.J. Henderson            Panthers          CB       $14,362,000                              X

10        Jedrick Wills                Browns            LT        $21,172,000      X

11        Mekhi Becton               Jets                  RT        $20,239,000                              X

13        Tristan Wirfs                Buccaneers     RT        $18,244,000      X

14        Javon Kinlaw               49ers               DT        $12,245,000                              X

15        Jerry Jeudy                 Broncos           WR       $19,071,000                              X

16        A.J. Terrell                   Falcons            CB       $15,724,000       X

17        CeeDee Lamb             Cowboys         WR       $17,991,000        X

18        Austin Jackson            Dolphins          RT        $21,172,000                              X

20        K’Lavon Chaisson       Jaguars           Edge    $7,114,000                                 X

21        Jalen Reagor               Vikings            WR       $19,071,000                               X

22        Justin Jefferson          Vikings            WR       $19,743,000       X

23        Kenneth Murray           Chargers          LB        $9,954,000                                X

24        Cesar Ruiz                   Saints             RG       $21,172,000                                    X

25        Brandon Aiyuk             49ers               WR       $20,639,000       X

26        Jordan Love                Packers           QB       $21,770,000      signed extension  5/2

27        Jordyn Brooks             Seahawks        LB        $11,369,000                               X

28        Patrick Queen             Ravens            LB        $11,369,000                                X

30        Noah Igbinoghene       Dolphins          CB       $14,362,000                              X

32        Clyde Edwards-Helaire  Chiefs            RB       $7,525,000                                X

NFL Draft 2023 -Top Three Round Results

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NFL Draft 2023
    Day One – First Round – April 27
   Day Two – 2nd & 3rd Rounds – April 28
  
  Day Three – 4th-7th Rounds – April 29 – 12 pm

First Round
1 Carolina (Chicago) – QB Bryce Young – Alabama
2 Houston – QB CJ Stroud – Ohio State
3 Houston (Arizona) – Edge Will Anderson – Alabama
4 Indianapolis – QB Anthony Richardson – Florida
5 Seattle (Denver) – CB Devin Witherspoon – Illinois
6 Arizona (LA Rams-Detroit) – OT Paris Johnson – Ohio State
7 Las Vegas – DE Tyree Wilson – Texas Tech
8 Atlanta – RB Bijan Robinson – Texas
9 Philadelphia (Carolina-Chicago) – DT Jalen Carter – Georgia
10 Chicago (New Orleans-Phil) – OT Darnell Wright – Tennessee
11 Tennessee – OT Peter Skoronski – Northwestern
12 Detroit (Cleveland-Arizona-Houston) – RB Jahmyr Gibbs – Alabama
13 Green Bay (NY Jets) – DE Lukas Van Ness – Iowa
14 Pittsburgh (New England) – OT Broderick Jones – Georgia
15 NY Jets (Green Bay) – Edge Will McDonald – Iowa State
16 Washington – CB Emmanuel Forbes – Mississippi State
17 New England (Pittsburgh) – CB Christian Gonzalez – Oregon
18 Detroit – LB Jack Campbell – Iowa
19 Tampa Bay – DT Calijah Kancey – Pittsburgh
20 Seattle – WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba – Ohio State
Miami (pick forfeited)
21 LA Chargers – WR Quenton Johnston – TCU
22 Baltimore – WR Zay Flowers – Boston College
23 Minnesota – WR Jordan Addison – Southern California
24 NY Giants (Jacksonville) – CB Deonte Banks – Maryland
25 Buffalo (NY Giants-Jacksonville) – TE Dalton Kincaid – Utah
26 Dallas – DT Mazi Smith – Michigan
27 Jacksonville (Buffalo) – OT Anton Harrison – Oklahoma
28 Cincinnati – DE Myles Murphy – Clemson
29 New Orleans (San Fran- Miami-Denver) – DL Brian Bresee – Clemson
30 Philadelphia – Edge Nolan Smith – Georgia
31 Kansas City – DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah – Kansas State

Round Two
32 Pittsburgh (Chicago) – CB Joey Porter – Penn State
33 Tennessee (Houston-Arizona) – QB Will Levis – Kentucky
34 Detroit (Arizona) – TE Sam LaPorta -Iowa
35 Las Vegas (Indianapolis) – TE Michael Mayer – Notre Dame
36 LA Rams – OL Steve Avila – TCU
37 Seattle (Denver) – Edge Derick Hall – Auburn
38 Atlanta (Las Vegas-Indianapolis) – OT  Matt Bergeron – Syracuse
39 Carolina – WR Jonathan Mingo – Mississippi
40 New Orleans – Edge Isaiah Foskey – Notre Dame
41 Arizona (Tennessee) – Edge BJ Ojulari – LSU
42 Green Bay (Cleveland-NY Jets) – TE Luke Musgrave – Oregon State
43 NY Jets – C Joe Tippmann – Wisconsin
44 Indianapolis (Atlanta) – CB Juju Brents – Kansas State
45 Detroit (Green Bay) – S Brian Branch – Alabama
46 New England – DE Keion White – Georgia Tech
47 Washington – S Quan Martin – Illinois
48 Tampa Bay (Detroit-Green Bay) – OL Cody Mauch – North Dakota State
49 Pittsburgh – DT Keeanu Benton – Wisconsin
50 Green Bay (Tampa Bay) – WR Jayden Reed – Michigan State
51 Miami – CB Cam Smith – South Carolina
52 Seattle – RB Zach Charbonnet – UCLA
53 Chicago (Baltimore) – DT Gervon Dexter – Florida State
54 LA Chargers – DE Tuli Tuipulotu – Southern California
55 Kansas City (Jacksonville-Detroit) – WR Rashee Rice – SMU
56 Chicago (Jacksonville) – CB Tyrique Stevenson – Miami
57 NY Giants – C John Michael Schmitz – Minnesota
58 Dallas – TE Luke Schoonmaker – Michigan
59 Buffalo – OG O’Cyrus Torrence – Florida
60 Cincinnati – CB DJ Turner – Michigan
61 Jacksonville (San Francisco-Carolina-Chicago) – TE Brenton Strange – Penn State
62 Houston (Philadelphia) – C Juice Scruggs – Penn State
63 Denver (Kansas City-Detroit)) – WR Marvin Mims – Oklahoma

Round Third
64 Chicago – DT Zaach Pickens – South Carolina
65 Philadelphia (Houston) – OL Tyler Steen – Alabama
66 Philadelphia (Arizona) – S Sydney Brown – Illinois
67 Denver (Indianapolis) – LB Drew Sanders – Arkansas
68 Detroit (Denver) – QB Hendon Hooker – Tennessee
69 Houston (LA Rams) – WR Tank Dell – Houston
70 Las Vegas – DL Byron Young – Alabama
71 New Orleans – RB Kendre Miller – TCU
72 Arizona (Tennessee) – CB Garrett Williams – Syracuse
73 NY Giants (Cleveland-Houston-LA Rams) – WR Jalin Hyatt – Tennessee
74 Cleveland (NY Jets) – WR Cedric Tillman – Tennessee
75 Atlanta – DE Zach Harrison – Ohio State
76 New England (Carolina) – LB Marte Mapu – Sacremento State
77 LA Rams (New Engalnd-Miami) – LB Byron Young – Tennessee
78 Green Bay – TE Tucker Kraft – South Dakota State
79 Indianapolis (Washington) – WR Josh Downs – North Carolina
80 Carolina (Pittsburgh) – Edge DJ Johnson – Oregon
81 Tennessee (Detroit-Arizona) – RB Tyjae Spears – Tulane
82 Tampa Bay – Edge YaYa Diaby – Loyuisville
83 Denver (Seattle) – DB Riley Moss – Iowa
84 Miami – RB Devon Achane – Texas A&M
85 LA Chargers – LB Daiyan Henley – Washington State
86 Baltimore – LB Trent Simpson – Clemson
87 San Francisco (Minnesota) – S  Ji’Ayir Brown – Penn State
88 Jacksonville – RB Tank Bigsby – Auburn
89 LA Rams (NY Giants) – DT Kobie Turner – Wake Forest
90 Dallas – LB DeMarvion Overshown – Texas
91 Buffalo – LB Dorian Williams – Tulane
92 Kansas City (Cincinnati) – OT Wanya Morris – Oklahoma
93 Pittsburgh (San Francisco thru Carolina) – TE Darnell Washington – Georgia
94 Arizona (Philadelphia) – WR Michael Wilson – Stanford
95 Cincinnati (Kansas City) – S Jordan Battle – Alabama
96 Detroit (Arizona) – DT Brodric Martin – Western Kentucky
97 Washington – C Ricky Stromberg – Arkansas
98 Cleveland – DT Siaka Ika – Baylor
99 San Francisco – PK Jake Moody – Michigan
100 Las Vegas (KC-Giants) – WR Tre Tucker – Cincinnati
101 San Francsico – TE Cameron Latu – Alabama
102 Minnesota (San Francisco) – CB Mekhi Blackmon – Southern California

NFL Draft 2023 -First Round Results

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 NFL Draft 2023
  Day One – First Round – April 27
  Day Two – Second & Third Rounds – April 28 – 7 pm
  Day Three – 4th-7th Rounds – April 29 – 12 pm

1 Carolina (Chicago) – QB Bryce Young – Alabama
2 Houston – QB CJ Stroud  – Ohio State
3 Houston (Arizona) – Edge Will Anderson – Alabama
4 Indianapolis – QB Anthony Richardson – Florida
5 Seattle (Denver) – CB Devin Witherspoon – Illinois
6 Arizona (LA Rams-Detroit) – OT Paris Johnson – Ohio State
7 Las Vegas – DE Tyree Wilson – Texas Tech
8 Atlanta – RB Bijan Robinson – Texas
9 Philadelphia (Carolina-Chicago) – DT Jalen Carter – Georgia
10 Chicago (New Orleans-Phil) – OT Darnell Wright – Tennessee
11 Tennessee – OT Peter Skoronski – Northwestern
12 Detroit (Cleveland-Arizona-Houston) – RB Jahmyr Gibbs – Alabama
13 Green Bay (NY Jets) – DE Lukas Van Ness – Iowa
14 Pittsburgh (New England) – OT Broderick Jones – Georgia
15 NY Jets (Green Bay) – Edge Will McDonald – Iowa State
16 Washington – CB Emmanuel Forbes – Mississippi State
17 New England (Pittsburgh) – CB Christian Gonzalez – Oregon
18 Detroit – LB Jack Campbell – Iowa
19 Tampa Bay – DT Calijah Kancey – Pittsburgh
20 Seattle – WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba – Ohio State
Miami (pick forfeited)
21 LA Chargers – WR Quenton Johnston – TCU
22 Baltimore – WR Zay Flowers – Boston College
23 Minnesota – WR Jordan Addison – Southern California
24 NY Giants (Jacksonville) – CB Deonte Banks – Maryland
25 Buffalo (NY Giants-Jacksonville) – TE Dalton Kincaid – Utah
26 Dallas – DT Mazi Smith – Michigan
27 Jacksonville (Buffalo) – OT Anton Harrison – Oklahoma
28 Cincinnati – DE Myles Murphy – Clemson
29 New Orleans (San Fran- Miami-Denver) – DL Brian Bresee – Clemson
30 Philadelphia – Edge Nolan Smith – Georgia
31 Kansas City – DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah – Kansas State